ºÚÁÏÃÅ

According toÌý, byÌý2023, 75% ofÌýbusinesses selling direct-to-consumer will offer subscription services. Don’t beÌýsurprised: itÌýall makes sense when you look atÌýsubscription benefits forÌýboth shoppers andÌýsellers.

While customers always want convenience, online sellers need reliable, recurring revenue toÌýsucceed inÌýaÌýhighly competitive ecommerce environment. AÌýsubscription business model checks all these boxes!

Even ifÌýyou didn’t launch your business asÌýaÌýsubscription service, you can incorporate itÌýinto your online store toÌýreap theÌýbenefits andÌýkeep your customers engaged andÌýsatisfied. Consider this blog post your guide toÌýaccomplishing just that.

And ifÌýyou’re anÌýºÚÁÏÃÅ merchant ready toÌýsell subscriptions inÌýyour online store, click theÌýbutton below toÌýlearn about how toÌýenable subscriptions right away.

What Are Subscriptions?

With aÌýsubscription business model, aÌýcompany provides ongoing products orÌýservices onÌýaÌýregular basis inÌýexchange forÌýpayment.

It’s highly likely you’ve already bought aÌýsubscription ²â´Ç³Ü°ù²õ±ð±ô´Ú—b±ð itÌýforÌýaÌýphysical product orÌýaccess toÌýcontent orÌýservice. Netflix, Amazon Prime, andÌývarious subscription boxes have become aÌýpart ofÌýour everyday lives. SoÌýwhy take advantage ofÌýtheÌýmodel’s popularity toÌýbenefit your business?

Benefits ofÌýSelling Subscriptions

AsÌýaÌýconsumer, you might already have anÌýappreciation forÌýtheÌýunique perks ofÌýbuying subscriptions. Convenience isÌýking: you don’t have toÌýre-order products orÌýservices, asÌýthey restock andÌýrenew byÌýthemselves. Plus, you can save money inÌýtheÌýlong term, asÌýservices often offer discounts forÌýannual subscriptions.

But what are theÌýbenefits ofÌýselling subscriptions asÌýaÌýbusiness?

Recurring Revenue

We’ve already mentioned it, but it’s anÌýadvantage worth repeating. When customers purchase subscriptions, they’re locked into buying products andÌýservices forÌýspecific periodsÌý— upÌýtoÌýseveral months orÌýaÌýyear. That allows you toÌýforecast your sales, which makes running aÌýbusiness way more predictable andÌýsustainable.

IfÌýyou run aÌýbusiness inÌýaÌýhighly competitive niche, recurring revenue isÌýespecially important forÌýstaying afloat andÌýgetting ahead ofÌýyour competitors.

Easier toÌýManage Inventory

Apart from aÌýpredictable revenue stream, selling subscriptions allows you toÌýbetter manage your inventory. Since customers subscribe forÌýextended periods ofÌýtime, you can better understand theÌýamount ofÌýproduct you need toÌýfulfill orders.

Customer Retention

Above, we’ve mentioned theÌýbenefits ofÌýbuying subscriptions forÌýcustomers: convenience andÌýcost-effectiveness. That means that theÌýlonger aÌýconsumer uses aÌýsubscription service, theÌýmore value they get out ofÌýit, andÌýtheÌýmore likely they are toÌýstay aÌýrepeat customer.

Retaining customers can really guarantee long-term business success. Loyal customers tend toÌýbuy more over time, asÌýthey’re familiar with your business andÌýtrust it.

Selling subscriptions also helps grow theÌýcustomer lifetime value (how much profit you have earned from aÌýsingle customer throughout theÌýentirety ofÌýyour business.) The more often aÌýcustomer buys from you, theÌýhigher theÌýCLV is.

What You Can Sell asÌýSubscriptions

There are lots ofÌýproducts andÌýservices you can sell asÌýsubscriptions. The chances are you’re already selling some ofÌýthem asÌýitems forÌýaÌýone-time purchase. Check out theÌýlist below toÌýsee ifÌýyou’re missing out onÌýgrowing recurring revenue forÌýyour store.

Subscription Boxes

Subscription boxes are curated, niche-oriented products packaged inÌýaÌýbox that are delivered toÌýcustomers onÌýaÌýregular basis. They are great forÌýtrying out new products, taking upÌýaÌýnew hobby, orÌýjust treating yourself toÌýaÌýfun experience. Subscription boxes often contain aÌýnew, “mystery” item which creates anticipation andÌýexcitement (aÌýgift idea toÌýsuggest toÌýyour customers.)

Subscription boxes are often based onÌýtheÌýcustomer’s individual preferences, but theÌýrange ofÌýproducts you can sell asÌýsubscription boxes isÌýendless. Cosmetics, clothes andÌýlingerie, accessories, food, crafts forÌýDIY projects, pet food, you name it. Boxes can contain different options ofÌýtheÌýsame product (say, socks), orÌývarious items united byÌýaÌýcommon theme (aÌýbox ofÌýcosmetics.)

Apart from attracting customers who love theÌýrush ofÌýnew product deliveries onÌýaÌýregular basis, subscription boxes are great forÌýselling products that need regular replenishment. DoÌýyou own aÌýbakery? Deliver weekly packages ofÌýfresh bread andÌýbuns. Run aÌýcoffee shop? Sell bundles ofÌýcoffee beans delivered monthly.

AsÌýyou might have guessed, food makes aÌýperfect product forÌýaÌýsubscription (replenishment, ifÌýyou will) box, from curated gourmet items toÌýregular fresh produce.

Memberships andÌýAccess toÌýServices

When customers buy aÌýmembership, they pay aÌýrecurring fee toÌýaccess anÌýonline orÌýoffline service. This works great forÌýservices that are provided forÌýanÌýextended period. Say, aÌýcleaning service that isÌýpaid weekly, orÌýeducational courses that are provided monthly.

Just like subscription boxes, memberships vary. They can provide access toÌýaÌýservice asÌýaÌýwhole, orÌýadditional services. For example, you can sell memberships toÌýattend offline language courses orÌýoffer extra lessons toÌýmembers only.

Memberships also might provide access toÌýexclusive content orÌýevents andÌýconferences.

“Subscribe andÌýSave” Products andÌýServices

The Subscribe andÌýSave model allows customers toÌýsave onÌýitems they buy regularly. Online stores that use this model often offer both one-time purchase items, andÌýtheÌýoption toÌý“subscribe” toÌýaÌýspecific product. Customers then receive itÌýregularly atÌýaÌýreduced price.

Just like subscription boxes, theÌýSubscribe andÌýSave model works best with products that need replenishment, like toiletries orÌýfood. But what distinguishes this model from subscription boxes isÌýtheÌýfocus onÌýsavings instead ofÌýfeelings ofÌýdiscovery andÌýdelight.

Digital Subscriptions

Businesses that sell digital subscriptions provide access toÌýcontent onÌýtheir website (to all orÌýaÌýset ofÌýcontent.) ItÌýmay include exclusive content forÌýsubscribers orÌýaccess toÌýtheÌýapp.

This model works great forÌýonline magazines andÌýstores that sell digital products. For example, anÌýeducational resource might sell aÌýmonthly subscription toÌýstudent workbooks.

Also: 18ÌýDigital Product Ideas For Almost Every Small Business

Recurring Donations

While this option might not come toÌýmind right away, regular donations work just like subscriptions: customers “subscribe” toÌýdonating regularly, say; weekly orÌýmonthly.

IfÌýyour business supports anÌýimportant cause, you can set upÌýregular andÌýrecurring donations forÌýyour online store. Or, you can allow customers toÌýsupport your small business inÌýcase something unexpected happens, like theÌýCOVID-19Ìýpandemic (fingers crossed you won’t need this feature forÌýthat, but still).

How toÌýGet More Subscription Sign-ups

AsÌýyou can see, there are plenty ofÌýoptions forÌýhow you want toÌýrun theÌýsubscription model inÌýyour store. Now let’s dive into how you can attract more repeat customers forÌýyour subscription products.

Your ultimate goal isÌýtoÌýmake sure your customers know that your product isÌýaÌýbetter value forÌýthem when bought onÌýaÌýregular basis. ToÌýachieve that, use theÌýideas below orÌýcombine them toÌýsuit your business better.

Offer aÌýSpecial Deal toÌýSubscribers

The Subscribe andÌýSave model isÌýpopular forÌýaÌýreason: aÌýdiscount gives shoppers aÌýclear incentive toÌýbuy aÌýsubscription product. However, there are lots ofÌýother ways toÌýshow customers they can get more forÌýtheir money.

Here are aÌýcouple ofÌýideas:

• Offer free shipping onÌýsubscription products
• Lower theÌýprice forÌýaÌýlimited time toÌýcreate aÌýsense ofÌýurgency
• Offer “Buy One, Get One Free” deals
• Add aÌýgift orÌýbonus forÌýtheÌýfirst 100Ìýsubscribers
• Offer aÌýfree entry toÌýaÌýloyalty program
• Run aÌýgiveaway forÌýsubscribers only
• Send free educational content toÌýsubscribers (for example, ifÌýyou sell beauty products, send aÌýchecklist forÌýchoosing cruelty-free cosmetics).

IfÌýyou offer products forÌýaÌýone-time purchase along with subscriptions, make sure you differentiate theÌýpromotions inÌýyour store.

Add aÌýSubscription-Only Product

Offer aÌýproduct that only subscribers can get, just make sure it’s anÌýitem inÌýdemand. For example, anÌýexclusive product orÌýaÌýbestseller with aÌýdeep discount.

Another option isÌýtoÌýinclude aÌýsurprise product inÌýtheÌýsubscription. That creates excitement andÌýaÌýfeeling ofÌýdiscovery, asÌýcustomers get their regular order andÌýsomething new.

Add Seasonal Offerings

Seasonal specials can also attract customers toÌýsubscribe toÌýyour product. InÌýthis case, you combine two incentives: aÌýlimited-time offer andÌýaÌýnew orÌýexclusive product.

IfÌýyou sell services, you can also incorporate seasonal offers into your subscriptions. For example, ifÌýyou teach foreign languages, you can include lessons with holiday topics into anÌýannual subscription.

Offer First Access toÌýNew Products

The feeling ofÌýdiscovery can stimulate customers toÌýbuy aÌýsubscription. This offer can also attract shoppers ifÌýyou sell products that take aÌýlot ofÌýtime toÌýmake andÌýdeliver. For example, hand-crafted jewelry orÌýexclusive items from overseas. Let subscribers skip theÌýline!

Pay attention toÌýthis option, especially ifÌýyou already have aÌýsolid customer base interested inÌýyour upcoming products. That creates anÌýopportunity forÌýupselling, orÌýinviting customers toÌýpurchase aÌýmore expensive itemÌý— inÌýyour case, aÌýsubscription.

Throw Events forÌýSubscribers

Not only can events forÌýsubscribers attract more shoppers, but they also can help grow aÌýcommunity around your brand andÌýpromote customer engagement andÌýloyalty.

For example: ifÌýyou sell flowers, invite subscribers toÌýanÌýoffline workshop onÌýfloral arrangements. Or, aÌýmeal prep company can organize anÌýonline Q&A with aÌýnutritionist.

But that’s not all, folks! For more ideas onÌýmaking your subscription product attractive forÌýrepeat customers, listen toÌýour podcast with in-house ecommerce experts:

Ìý

How toÌýStart Selling Subscriptions

Ready toÌýgrow your recurring revenue with subscriptions? We’re here toÌýhelp!

With ºÚÁÏÃÅ, you can:

• Sell popular subscription-based products such asÌýfood, cosmetics, subscription boxes, access toÌýmemberships, replenishment items.
• Set theÌýbilling cycle toÌýdaily, weekly, biweekly, monthly, quarterly, orÌýannually.
• forÌýyour store orÌýnon-profit.
• Enable recurring subscriptions along with one-time purchases toÌýprovide more options forÌýyour customers.
• Easily manage subscriptions. All ofÌýthem are preserved inÌýyour ºÚÁÏÃÅ admin, including active, canceled, subscriptions with failed charges, andÌýtheÌýones that need toÌýbeÌýconfirmed.
• Contact subscription customers ifÌýyou need toÌýspecify theÌýdelivery address orÌýclarify subscription details.

Here’s how itÌýworks: after you enable subscriptions inÌýyour Control Panel, you create aÌýproduct inÌýyour store that customers can subscribe toÌýandÌýreceive onÌýaÌýrepeated schedule.

Once shoppers subscribe toÌýyour product, they’ll beÌýcharged automatically according toÌýtheÌýsubscription period. Customers can cancel their subscriptions orÌýchange payment details inÌýtheÌýcustomer account.

Every time aÌýcustomer isÌýcharged during theÌýsubscription period, you will receive anÌýemail, andÌýaÌýnew order will beÌýplaced automatically. IfÌýtheÌýsubscription isÌýcanceled orÌýthere’s anÌýissue with payment, you’ll beÌýnotified about that too.

We’ve set itÌýupÌýsoÌýthat everything should work smoothly: you set upÌýaÌýsubscription product once, andÌýitÌýstarts generating sales. Customers don’t need toÌýre-order items. You pack andÌýship theÌýorders. It’s all soÌýsimple!

Ready toÌýsell subscriptions with ºÚÁÏÃÅ? You can get started inÌýnoÌýtime:

1. . You’ll beÌýable toÌý orÌý toÌýyour existing website.
2. Add policies forÌýpurchasing subscriptions inÌýyour Terms &ÌýConditions. Make sure toÌýcover your refund/return/cancellation policy andÌýdelivery details.
3. Add aÌýsubscription product toÌýyour store using this .

ToÌýlearn more about setting upÌýandÌýmanaging subscriptions inÌýyour ºÚÁÏÃÅ store, read our in-depth instructions inÌýtheÌý.

Ìý

Start Selling Subscriptions

We’ve done our best brainstorming, but weÌýbet you have some even better ideas forÌýselling subscription-based products andÌý²õ±ð°ù±¹¾±³¦±ð²õ—s´Ç share them inÌýtheÌýcomments!

Need help with setting upÌýyour subscriptions store? Don’t hesitate toÌý. And ifÌýyou’re aÌýseasoned subscription seller yourself, feel free toÌýshare your experience with our readers.

Next week we’re going toÌýdive into one ofÌýtheÌýmost popular products sold with this business modelÌý— aÌýsubscription box. We’ll share dozens ofÌýideas forÌýin-demand subscription boxes you can start selling. Stay tuned!

Ìý

• How toÌýSell Subscriptions: AÌýGuide toÌýGrowing Recurring Revenue
• How toÌýGet More Customers forÌýYour Subscription Business
• Thinking Inside theÌýBox: 10ÌýProduct Ideas forÌýaÌýSubscription Box Business
• Subscription Business Model: How toÌýSwitch Your Customers toÌýMonthly Payments
• 8ÌýSubscription Business Ideas
• How toÌýSell Subscription Boxes toÌýAnyone
• Recurring Payments: Selling Monthly Subscriptions